General Construction

By Team Blue Posted on Mon 06 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

After reviewing this application here are some the queries that I wish to share :

- What are the means and methods that would be employed in renovation/making of beries and taankas?

- What is the life of the structures envisioned?

- How sustainable is the current option, in terms of its impact to environment?

- What are the PH levels of water in taankas and beries made in past?

- What are the water filters consists of?

- What if there is lime used instead of cement- Do they have locally available materials to make it? How much time it will take? Are the local people conversant of constructing in lime?

- Traditionally, is there other methods to conserve water that can cater to larger number?

General Construction

By GRAVIS Posted on Tue 07 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Thank you for your questions Saurin Ji. Here are our replies.

The methods in making beries and taankas are traditional. We renovate beries which includes excavation of sand and repairing the structures. Tannkas are constructed which includes digging a 10 feet deep structure, creation of stone walls and a roof top and then creating an artificial catchment area. You could see the pictures of these structures in our various annual reports at our website - www.gravis.org.in

The life of the structures is usually long with good maintenance. Beries need renovation/de-silt every 10 to 15 years. Taankas can long very last with very little annual maintenance. The structures are rain-water harvesting, so have only positive environmental impacts. The water filters consist of iron net. Cement is mainly used in construction, as the lime construction is expensive and time consuming.

Other larger structures are ponds, but they have a bigger cost and have to be located far from many households.

Government Involvement

By Team Blue Posted on Tue 28 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Hello Gravis,

With the number of systems you've installed, it sounds like you have a proven approach.

With my experience at Gram Vikas and OTELP, I learned that after tipping point of installing a high number of systems, the government eventually wakes up and joins the movement.

With your reputation and strong experience, have you been able to leverage local and state government support for water and related projects?

Have you / do you work with government agencies to fund projects, identify sites, raise awareness, and incorporate NREGA and other policies to make them work for your communities?

Thanks,
Dipti

Government Involvement

By GRAVIS Posted on Wed 29 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Hi Dipti,

Thanks for your question. We have till date constructed over 5,500 taankas and over 540 beries. So, there has been a long and proven experience.

In the beginning, the government did not agree with our approach of constructing smaller, household size structures. But gradually our idea got great acceptance. Currently, GRAVIS is almost on all local government committees focusing on water, agriculture and development. It has also partnered in various govt projects on water including the currently ongoing Integrated Water Resource Management (IIWRM). Our roles in these projects have been of sharing knowledge, facilitating community based processes and technical support.

We have also been participating regularly in NREGA discussions as well as other programmes like NRHM and Sanitation Campaign to provide our and communities' feedback on funding, possible activities and monitoring.

Maintenance

By Team Blue Posted on Wed 01 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Hello Gravis,
Do the families contribute towards a maintenance fund?
Just for my understanding, is it possible to de-silt annually and would it be cheaper to do that, rather then the major de-silting?
thanks,
Madan

Maintenance

By GRAVIS Posted on Fri 03 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Madan Ji - thank you. The community contributes to the renovation as well as to the community based funds or village funds which can be used for maintenance and minor issues. An annual de-silt according to us may not be very practical. We can discuss this further with the community.

Maintenance

By Team Blue Posted on Tue 07 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

If the beneficiaries are not willing to contribute to a maintenance fund to cover repairs, upgrades and basic operation and maintenance costs (no matter what income level of the family), then PWX should not provide financial and technical support.

Maintenance

By GRAVIS Posted on Wed 22 Aug 2012, over 13 years ago

Thanks for your comment Rick McGowan. I understand your point and we always encourage and ensure a local contribution.